Workplace Exposures and Breast Cancer: An Overlooked Risk for Women

Evidence suggests that orthopaedic and vascular surgeons may be at increased risk of breast cancer

By Dr Jasmina Kevric, Specialist Breast Surgeon

Breast cancer has many recognised risk factors, but growing evidence shows that occupational exposures can also increase risk. For women working in certain professions, long-term exposure to night work, radiation, chemicals, or environmental toxins may play an important and often under-recognised role.

Shift Work and Circadian Disruption

Night and rotating shift work disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm and suppress melatonin, a hormone believed to have protective anti-cancer effects. Numerous studies have linked long-term night shift work with increased breast cancer risk, particularly when exposure begins early in adult life (IARC; Cancer Australia). As a result, night shift work is classified as “probably carcinogenic” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Surgeons and Occupational Radiation

Evidence suggests that orthopaedic and vascular surgeons may be at increased risk of breast cancer due to repeated exposure to ionizing radiation during fluoroscopy-guided procedures. These specialties often involve long operating times and high cumulative radiation doses. A systematic review and meta-analysis found a significantly increased breast cancer risk among female physicians with occupational radiation exposure compared with non-exposed colleagues (Rajaraman et al.). Poorly fitting protective equipment designed for male bodies may further increase exposure.

Firefighters and Chemical Hazards

Firefighters are exposed to a complex mixture of carcinogens, including benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and PFAS. Many of these substances have been linked to breast cancer, raising concerns that breast cancer may be an occupational disease for women in firefighting and emergency services (Daniels et al.; Breast Cancer Prevention Partners).

Military Women

Women serving in the military face unique and cumulative exposures, including night operations, ionizing radiation, fuel and solvent exposure, burn pit emissions, pesticides, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Studies of U.S. servicewomen have reported higher breast cancer incidence compared with civilian counterparts, even after adjusting for traditional risk factors (Department of Defense; Institute of Medicine). As women increasingly serve in combat and technical roles, understanding and mitigating these risks is critical.

A Call to Action

Women deserve safe workplaces. We need better recognition of occupational breast cancer risk, improved exposure controls, properly fitted protective equipment, routine surveillance, and targeted screening for women in high-risk professions. As clinicians, employers, military leaders, and policymakers, we must act—because prevention starts at work.

References

1. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Night shift work and cancer risk.

2. Cancer Australia. Environmental and occupational risk factors for breast cancer.

3. Rajaraman P et al. Occupational radiation exposure and breast cancer risk among female physicians: systematic review and meta-analysis.

4. Brody JG et al. Work and breast cancer: The state of the evidence. Environmental Health Perspectives.

5. Daniels RD et al. Cancer risk among firefighters. Occupational & Environmental Medicine.

6. Institute of Medicine. Breast cancer and military service.

7. Department of Defense. Cancer incidence among U.S. servicewomen.